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Thursday September 19, 2013 5:17 AM

NEW YORK

SEC proposes new rule on executive-pay disclosure

Regulators proposed a rule yesterday that would require publicly traded companies to disclose the difference between the pay of chief executives and their employees, in an effort to make compensation more transparent.

Three of the five members of the Securities and Exchange Commission voted in favor of a proposal that would require public companies to disclose the ratio of top executive compensation to the median compensation of their employees. Median pay is the point at which half the employees earn more and half earn less.

WASHINGTON

Builders boost construction of single-family homes

U.S. builders started work in August on the most single-family homes in six months and requested permits to construct even more in future months. The figures suggest housing remains a driver of economic growth despite higher mortgage rates.

Construction starts of single-family homes rose 7 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000, the Commerce Department said yesterday. That’s the fastest rate since February. And builders sought 627,000 permits to construct future single-family homes, 3 percent more than July and the best pace since May 2008.

NEW YORK

Report: BlackBerry might lay off 40% of its workforce

BlackBerry Ltd. is preparing a round of deep staff cuts by the end of 2013 and could lay off as much as 40 percent of its employees, The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter as saying yesterday.

The layoffs would happen across the board and likely occur in waves, according to the Journal. BlackBerry, which once dominated the corporate smartphone arena, has struggled in recent years to stanch rapid market-share losses to rivals such as Apple and Samsung.

BlackBerry was not available for comment.

SAN FRANCISCO

Google launches company focused on aging, illnesses

Google said yesterday that it has launched a new health company, called Calico, that will focus on aging and related diseases.

The Internet-search giant said the company will be headed by Arthur Levinson, the current chairman and former CEO of biotechnology company Genentech and the chairman of Apple Inc. He will stay in his current positions.

Starbucks wants to keep guns out of its coffee shops

Starbucks is asking customers to leave firearms behind when they are in its stores and its outdoor seating areas.

Under the policy change, baristas and other store employees will not ask customers who come in with guns in holsters, for example, to leave or confront them in any way, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said. No signs explaining the policy will be posted in Starbucks stores, either. Schultz said store officials will evaluate compliance over time and consider posting signs if necessary.

The Seattle-based company is running full-page ads in major newspapers today, telling customers that guns are no longer welcome in its cafes.